National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has asked 3.5 lakh displaced Pandits to forgive and forget so that they can go back to their homes from where they were forced to move out after insurgency erupted in the state in 1990.
“People in Kashmir with open arms want you to come back. We have to start seeking and forgive and forget. If you continue to hold hatred in your heart, you will never be able to create the Kashmir that you want to create of love, affection and getting together,” Farooq said in an exclusive interview.
On January 19, the Pandit community observed 26 years in exile and their return to the Kashmir valley became a hot topic in political circles. “I said come for God’s sake, but no longer will we have a begging bowl and wait. You have to make the first move,” said the five-time Chief Minister.
He said even during his tenure as Chief Minister from 1996 to 2002, he had gone many times to the Home Ministry and held discussions with Pandits and then Home Minister LK Advani to resettle the people back.
“All plans are ready and are with the Home Ministry. If they are going to wait till the last gun is silenced, that is not going to happen,” Farooq said. He demanded an investigation into events leading to the forced migration of the minority community from the Kashmir valley in 1990. His government quitted on January 19, 1990, after which Governor’s rule was imposed and Jagmohan appointed Governor. Farooq said migration started after imposition of Governor’s rule. “Migration started when I quitted the government. At that point of time, I had told the Government of India not to send Jagmohan because we were between those people and you,” he said. Since the day of migration, it was not clear who was responsible for it and what were the circumstances under which Pandits had to leave their homes.
“It is for history to tell. The Government of India should investigate it. It should appoint the senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court to find who were responsible so that the bitterness that Muslims were responsible would go,” he said.
Asked about the role played by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who was Union Home Minister in 1990, Farooq said, “If I raise fingers at a time when he has just died, it will not be right. What I suggest is that the roles played by everybody should be enquired.”
Farooq asks Pandits to forgive and forget
